Protein compositions for plant treatment

Abstract

Disclosed herein are methods of accelerating root growth in a plant, the method comprising applying to the plant root a composition comprising a) a mixture of proteins and polypeptides, and b) a surfactant, whereby root growth is accelerated as compared to an untreated plant. Also disclosed herein are methods of improving the foliar uptake of a biologically active compound by a plant, the method comprising applying to the plant foliage a composition comprising a) a mixture of proteins and polypeptides, and b) a surfactant, whereby root growth is accelerated as compared to an untreated plant.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims priority to the U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61 / 201,600, filed on Dec. 12, 2008, by Michalow, et al., and entitled “PROTEIN COMPOSITIONS THAT IMPROVE SOIL PENETRATION AND ROOT UPTAKE OF WATER AND NUTRIENTS”, and to the U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61 / 201,661, filed on Dec. 12, 2008, by Podella, et al., and entitled “PROTEIN ENHANCED PLANT TREATMENT ADJUVANT COMPOSITIONS”, the entire disclosure of both of which is incorporated by reference herein.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The invention belongs to the field of agricultural chemicals, more specifically to the materials which improve the transfer to, penetration into, and uptake by the foliage and roots of agricultural plants of water and water-soluble chemicals, or herbicides by the shoots or roots of weeds. The invention also relates to the field of adjuvants used to increase the foliar uptake of biologically active compounds.BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE[0003]The di...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0005]Disclosed herein are methods of accelerating root growth in a plant, the method comprising applying to the plant root a composition comprising a) a mixture of proteins and polypeptides, and b) a surfactant, whereby root growth is accelerated as compared to an untreated plant. Also disclosed herein are methods of improving the foliar uptake of a biologically active compound by a plant, the method comprising applying to the plant foliage a composition comprising a) a mixture of proteins and polypeptides, and b) a surfactant, whereby root growth is accelerated as compared to an untreated plant.

Problems solved by technology

Plant leaves are generally waxy with small pores, which make it difficult for the organic molecules to penetrate the leaf Solutions containing the active compounds typically contain adjuvants that help with the foliar uptake.

However, the adjuvants currently used are not very efficient and most of the biologically active compounds do not reach their targets.